Advantages

Disadvantages

I must begin this review by confessing that I didn't actually purchase this product for myself, my mother in law picked it up for us when we moved house and gained a garden, complete with lawn. On that basis, I don't actually know how much she paid for it but you can currently buy this rake from Amazon for £13.07 which seems like pretty good value to me.

We inherited my mother in laws old lawnmower too as she upgraded hers around the time that we moved house which was excellent for us. Our lawn isn't too big (around 12 by 6 feet) so cutting the grass and then raking up the debris isn't a big job and it does feel very satisfying to smell the delicious freshly cut grass and sit back and look at the freshly cut lawn.

Bulldog are renowned for making quality garden, contractor and agricultural tools and are a British company who have been trading for 230 years. They sell a massive range of items and are currently endorsed by Alan Titchmarsh who has a range of tools that can be viewed on their website (see address above) I am quite small and so the reason that my mother in law selected this particular rake is because it is lightweight and therefore, easy to use with minimum effort - my kind of product!

I was initially unsure of whether the rake might be a little bit flimsy and less substantial that the more traditional wood and metal version but was pleasantly surprised to find that it is robust and flexible without breaking or losing its shape. If anything, it actually seems more flexible and therefore more effective than traditional rakes might be and doesn't get caught in the grass the way that I remember.

It sounds obvious but to use, simply draw the rake over the cut grass (or other garden matter that you want to rake up) and pull it towards you. The cut grass is quickly gathered up making it easy to collect and dispose of. I'm afraid I don't have a compost heap so this had to be chucked into my garden waste recycling bin but by next year, I hope to resolve this problem by creating my own compost heap.

The task of collecting the grass takes just minutes and I find the plastic garden rake much more effective than the more traditional version. It is flexible without being flimsy and quickly gathers the grass, leaving my lawn looking fab. Overall, the task is quick and simple which leaves plenty of time to spend on more fun outdoor activities, such as relaxing on my newly cut lawn with a beer, a much better use of my summer day!

This product offers excellent value for money and is easy and effective to use. Being plastic, it is much more lightweight than the more traditional alternative and also gathers more grass first time due to being more flexible. It will also avoid rust and rotting while being stored in winter months so may last longer too.

Advantages

Disadvantages

It has been some time since I reviewed any products on Dooyoo but summer is here and it seems like an excellent time to write up a few products that I have recently bought.

They are currently priced at £3.18 for one on Amazon but if you buy two, you are offered a discount. Since we bought these, we have seen them for sale in a local supermarket too, I am unsure if they are the same brand but they look and feel the same and cost only £1.99 each so maybe keep your eyes open locally if you would like to buy any.

The balls are around the size of a standard tennis ball and contain glitter, suspended inside in a liquid which makes it spin around and 'sparkle' when the ball is moved or thrown around.

We moved house a few months ago and went from having a small back yard to a decent sized garden, which means lots more space for my niece and nephew to play in. My niece is 3 years old and is quite a typical girl, she loves sparkly glittery things but they obviously need to be quite robust to prevent them falling to pieces when she plays with them.

We first saw these glittery bouncing balls at a friends house when her children were playing with them. Unfortunately, the first one that we saw was pink (my niece's favourite colour) so she was immediately captivated. I duly promised that I would find one for her and checked Amazon when I got home. The balls come in a variety of colours, and we were not able to specify the colour that we wanted, which meant that my niece ended up with three before finally getting the pink one that she wanted so badly. However, three purchases later and we finally struck gold (or pink!) and she now has different colours to play with.

The balls are bouncier than you might expect, they can be thrown or bounced off concrete and despite plenty of playing time, show no signs of bursting or breaking. Because they are made of a rubber type material, they can also be played with in water so our collection makes its way into the bath and paddling pool along with being played with outside.

The balls are quite heavy so I would advise against throwing them around the house as they could easily break something or hurt someone, but for outdoor play or rolling around, they are an excellent choice. When they are thrown or rolled, the glitter swirls around inside the ball, making them sparkle which is obviously quite appealing to children (or indeed, adults who are fond of sparkly things!) and they bounce well enough for a child to throw them off a wall and have them bounce back.

These balls have lasted a few months now and as yet, show no signs of damage or chipping. Playing ball is a traditional outdoor pastime that never seems to go out of fashion and these balls are solid enough to withstand the stresses that kids are likely to put them through. They are cheap and pretty to look at and are sure to be a hit with children. I would keep them away from dogs in case they burst the exterior but aside from that, they are a fun plaything for summer and bath time alike, well worth spending a few quid on. If you do want a specific colour though, maybe look around locally or be prepared to end up with a few, but hey, you could always take up juggling!

Advantages

Disadvantages

I am a big fan of the Emporio Armani fragrances for women and this is my favourite one. It comes in a cylindrical bottle with a gold plastic like coating which makes it very easy to pop into a bag. The box will be wrapped inside a plastic/foil wrapper which should be sealed so that you know that your perfume is unopened. The prices vary depending on where you buy it from but you can expect to pay around £30 to £35 for a 5oml bottle. It is often cheaper to buy online so it is worth keeping your eyes open.

I have to be quite careful with perfumes because very often they smell gorgeous in the bottle but on my skin, smell quite different. This fragrance smells delicious in the bottle and even better on the skin, my only real criticism is that it doesn't seem to last as long as some other perfumes and so, does have to be reapplied a few times during the day.

It is difficult to describe the fragrance and really do it justice. It is a musky floral type of scent with vanilla and slightly spicy undertones which give it an exotic and sexy smell. It has a lovely "grown up" expensive smell which always makes me feel good when I am wearing it and although it is quite a subtle fragrance, it is quite unique and doesn't smell like any other perfume that I have tried before. I always get compliments when I wear this fragrance and I never seem to get bored with it, despite wearing it a lot!

This perfume could be work during the day or in the evening but I like to keep it for evenings because it is sexy and spicy. It is a shame that it has to be reapplied so often though because it does mean that a bottle doesn't last as long as some other fragrances.

This perfume is gorgeous and will definitely remain a favourite, in fact, I will be adding it to my Christmas wish list so hopefully Mr Siamese will be buying me some more very soon. If you haven't tried this yet, either for yourself or as a gift, then you certainly should, it is fabulous!

Advantages

Disadvantages

Description: Dettol Liquid Antiseptic/Disinfectant is used for first aid, Medical and personal hygiene.

http://www.dettol.co.uk

It would be hard not to know the Dettol brand because it has been around for years. Along with the original antiseptic disinfectant pictured above, they also sell a wide range of home and family products designed to keep you healthy and clean.

Dettol comes in various sizes and will cost around £2.65 for 500ml. Smaller and larger bottles are available and you can buy the product in most chemists and supermarkets.

The liquid can be diluted (I regularly use it to clean the bathroom)and is a proven way of killing bacteria and germs. It can be used as a antiseptic wound cleansing for cuts, grazes, bites and stings too and for this reason, reminds me of my childhood. Every time we got a scrape or graze, the Dettol would come out and we would be wiped down with it.

The smell of the product is a big selling point for me, it smells fresh, clean and antiseptic without being harsh or chemical like. It is a familiar smell that I always associate with being clean. In fact, my grandfather used to swear by adding a cap-full of Dettol to his bathwater! I am not sure that I would take it that far but I do enjoy the fragrance and the way that it leaves surfaces gleaming and smelling clean and fresh.

The beauty of this product is that it is so versatile. Whenever we go on holiday we pack a small bottle knowing that it can be used for so many things. The liquid dilutes so a bottle lasts for ages which also makes it excellent value for money.

Advantages

Disadvantages

You have probably already heard of Deep Heat which has been around for years in the form of a cream and then also a spray. Deep Heat comes in bright red packaging with the name written in flames so it certainly stands out on the shelves. You can buy these heat patches in most chemists and some supermarkets too. Expect to pay between £5 and £6 for a pack containing 4 patches. You can also buy single packets for around £2.35. The cream and spray are good (the spray is particularly good for hard to reach places!) but they have a very strong and distinctive fragrance and also have to be reapplied every few hours. It is also easy to put too much on and find yourself far too hot!

Another one of the benefits of these patches is that they do not have the strong smell that the cream does, making them handy to use when you are at work or out and about. Mentholatum tell us that Deep Heat Patches are air activated charcoal patches providing up to 8 hours of deep penetrating warmth (information taken from their website)

The patches are designed to be opened and then stuck onto the body, they are of course unsuitable for some areas (check the packet before using) and are also unsuitable for some people to use. The pack comes with full information and is easy to check before you buy but if you are in any doubt, just ask your pharmacist who should be happy to help you.

Once the patches have been opened and stuck on, they get hot quite quickly, and within 5 minutes, you can feel the warmth starting to ease your aches and pains. I use them for back and shoulder pain and find that they are as effective, if not more than using anti inflammatory drugs. They are very warm but not hot enough to become uncomfortable, so some people may find this preferable to applying the cream or spray because you don't have to judge how much to use.

The patches are designed to last for up to 8 hours so can be great for under clothes when you have to move about. They are so convenient and easy to use that I like to always have some in the house, just in case.

Overall, although they are not the cheapest product available, they are convenient and effective and I certainly believe they are worth the money. They sooth aches and pains and help mobility without taking medication and they last really well so are ideal for using for the whole day at work. If you suffer from pain or muscle stiffness, these patches could be exactly what you need, and they genuinely make a difference. I am awarding these Deep Heat patches 5 Dooyoo stars because they have earned them!

Advantages

Disadvantages

Description; Comfy, stylish shoes to slip into after a long night of wearing heels.

In case you are unsure what these actually are, they are little ballet pump style shoes which come in their own little pouch. They are lightweight and take up very little space so that you can slip the pouch into a bag and when your feet ache after wearing heels (as tends to happen on any good night out!) you can remove the heels and slip these on instead.

You can buy these for £19.99 from a range of places and they come in pink, silver, gold and black. They come in small, medium, large and extra large.

Now I have tiny feet, size 2 to be precise and a friend bought me the small ones. Unfortunately, they are designed for size 3 to 4 feet so I did find them a little big. I also found that there are several different varieties of this kind of shoe on the market and at nearly £20, these seem a lot more expensive than most.

I gave my pair to my friend who has size 3 feet and she said that they were okay but a little bit big for her too so if you have smaller feet, maybe look for an alternative product instead.

The material of the shoes is quite light and the little pouch doesn't take up too much room but it is handy to know that these shoes actually fold up so if you prefer something that takes up less room, especially if you are only taking a small handbag out with you then these may be a good way of doing so.

The shoes are so light that it almost feels like you are going barefoot so they are very comfortable, just what you need after a long night when your feet are burning, it is just a shame that they are not small enough for me because they just slip off when I try to walk in them!

Overall, this is an excellent idea but they are a bit too pricey and the sizes may not be suitable for everyone, if you are planning something like this, it may be worth shopping around to get the best value for money. I have recently found a company that sells smaller ones so will definitely be investing in a pair!

Disadvantages

I must begin this review by explaining that I absolutely love my FitFlops! I was given my first pair as a gift around a year ago and within about 6 weeks, had bought another pair as I liked them so much. I have the red and white pair pictured above and also a black sequined pair. The FitFlops come in a wide variety of designs and so you are likely to find a style and colour that appeals to you.

FitFlops claim to help you get a workout while you walk. They do so by using a patented "Microwobble board" in the sole and their website tells you that they work on the following areas;

# - help increase leg and bottom muscle activity (up to 30%). (so you feel less ache in your hips and knees),

In effect, they work on toning your legs and bum and once you have work them for a while, you can actually feel the muscles in these areas start to ache a little. Not so much that it is painful but enough to let you know that they are working.

When I first wore these FitFlops, I found them slightly uncomfortable over the top, and almost everyone I know who has them (and most people I know have now got at least 1 pair!) has said the same thing. This only lasts for a couple of days and seems to be a breaking in period. After this, I can honestly say that these are the most comfortable footwear I have ever experienced.

The sole is a little bit bulky looking (but not unattractively so) and that seems to be what makes them so comfortable, they genuinely make walking around as easy as it possibly can be, even when you are on your feet for hours.

These FitFlops are not cheap, they retail for around £35 (you can also buy boots and shoes from the same range, check the website and local stockists for more details) but they are an absolute bargain and I wouldn't hesitate to spend twice the price because they are the most comfortable things that I own. My 2 pairs are over a year old now and show no signs of needing replacing, and I wear them most days for lengthy periods of time. You can buy them for women, men and kids and the choice of styles and colours is fantastic.

In summary, everyone should have these FitFlops, no matter what your age or gender, they look good, help to tone your muscles and above all, feel amazing, no matter how long you are on your feet for. There is no reason at all not to buy these, so get shopping now!

Advantages

Disadvantages

These dog ball throwers will cost between £2 and £5 depending on where you buy them from. You can also find them for sale on Amazon so it might be a way to spend those Dooyoo miles and treat your canine friend.

As most dog lovers will tell you, the majority of dogs love to run and love to chase things and retrieve them. Our little dog would happily spend hours doing this every day and never seemed to get bored of it. It was always myself and Mr Siamese who tired of the task first and so when we saw this handy little device for sale in a local pet shop, we were keen to try it out.

It is a very basic idea and yet proves the old adage that sometimes, the most simple ideas are the best. It comprises of a plastic arm which holds the ball in one end. You just hold the other end and then launch the ball forward. The result is that the ball flies much further forward than if you were just throwing it by hand, and therefore, your dog has to run much further to retrieve it. This works on 2 counts, it helps your dog get more exersise and it also saves your arms from tiring too quickly!

Now, there is a trick to this that we spotted someone doing and immediately copied. The trick is to bring 2 balls! This way, when your dog runs back with 1 and doesn't want to drop it, you just launch the other ball. The dog then drops the first ball and immediately chases the second!

This simple little device will give you and your dog hours of entertainment and is hardwearing and robust. It is a cheap and brilliant product that I cannot recommend highly enough, if you don't already have one, then what are you waiting for, get one now, oh and don't forget, take an extra ball!

Advantages

Disadvantages

There is only so much that you can say about poo bags so apologies in advance if this review is short and sweet! As any responsible dog owner will testify too, it is imperative that you pick up after your dog. This isn't a pleasant task but one that has to be done and there are lots of different varieties of poo bag on the market to allow you to do so.

I usually just buy cheap scented nappy sacks from a local supermarket which are extremely cost effective - in fact, you can usually get around 100 for less that £0.50. I tried these ones when my mum picked up some shopping for me and I forgot to specify the kind that I wanted and simply wrote "poo bags" on my shopping list. I must confess to having a slight "you paid HOW much?!" moment when she returned but gave them a try anyway. Expect to pay around £2.15.

The bags come in little rolls and you remove them by ripping along the serated edge. They have little pictures of dogs on them which is quite cute but a little unnecessary! They are quite thick, actually quite a lot thicker than the cheap bags that I would normally buy. Having said that, unless your dog has extremely heavy poos then they may not actually need to be this thick.

Once you have collected the mess, you simply tie a knot in the handle and then bin the bag.

Okay so these were easy to use and did mask the smell of the contents but I have to be honest and say that for the price, they were nothing special and certainly not enough to make me switch from my usual cheap option. I personally have better things to spend my hard earned cash on than bags to hold poo and then get binned! 3 stars from me just for the quality but they lose marks for the cost.

Advantages

Disadvantages

You can currently purchase this item for just under £8 on Amazon so it could be something useful to spend those Dooyoo Amazon miles on. You can also buy it from Argos for just £5.99.

I am one of those people who is always forgetting to charge my mobile phone and as a result, it runs out and I find myself unable to use it when I want to. This product is an excellent idea because it is universal (the product is compatible with Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, USB mini and USB micro handsets) and therefore works with most makes of mobile including my Nokia. My partner has a Sony Ericsson and this charger works with his phone too so we are able to share it. Ironically, it actually cost me less than Nokia wanted me to pay for a car charger too!

The charger is very easy to use as it just plugs into your cars cigarette lighter. It has a coiled cable which prevents it getting tangled up and although it isn't as fast at charging my phone as the charger that came with it, it works quite quickly so is handy to keep, even just for emergency purposes. Since buying mine, I have actually purchased another of these for my parents car because I was so pleased with it.

Overall, this product is handy to have and a decent way to ensure that your phone doesn't go dead while you are out and about. It could also be a handy stand by if anything happens to your phone charger to allow you to keep using your phone while you wait for a replacement. Decent value for money too!

Advantages

Disadvantages

I share my home with 2 lovely Siamese cats but unfortunately, they like to scratch! They are indoor cats so this obviously means they have less places to indulge this scratching habit and in order to keep them from attacking my sofa or rugs, I have to ensure that they have a scratching post.

When I first bought a scratching post, I paid quite a bit more for it than I did for this one and also struggled to get the cats to use it. In fact, it sat for a good couple of weeks with the cats looking puzzled when I attempted to entice them into using it. Finally, I solved the problem by buying some catnip spray from my local pet shop and liberally spraying the post. This gave almost instant results and now, they adore their scratching post. This one actually comes inpregnated with catnip so they are delighted though we do still give it a spray now and again as a treat!

The cat scratching post costs just £6.99 and measures (H)45, (W)29, (D)29cm. It is easy to assemble and consists of a square carpet base and a sisal rope covered post which your cats can get their claws into easily.

Now don't get me wrong, this is quite a basic version and there are loads of bigger, posher ones on the market but for my 2 cats, this is all they need and it offers excellent value for money. Unfortunately, they do tend to scratch the carpet base too so it has to be replaced every 9 months or so, but that is all the more reason for paying less for it.

Despite not being the biggest cat scratching post on the market, this one is pretty sturdy and takes the punishment that my 2 inflict upon it quite easily. It has a little fluffy bobble attached to the top that they can chase around and despite their best efforts, the cats haven't managed to dislodge this yet so it is pretty robust.

5 stars from me, a decent economy cat scratcher that offers excellent value for money - with added catnip, what more could your cats ask for!

Advantages

Disadvantages

This disposable party BBQ cost me £5 from my local store. We bought it a couple of months ago when we were going camping with friends for a long weekend. At home we have a gas BBQ but it is quite large and cumbersome and too big too big to pop in the car along with camping equipment etc.

The beauty of disposable BBQs of course is that you don't have to clean them, they are really easy to use and once they have cooled down (please take care to ensure that the BBQ has extinguished completely before binning to avoid the risk of fire, if possible, leave overnight or use water to pour on the coals) you just throw them away. Perfect for those who find scrubbing the BBQ a chore.

To use, simply remove the plastic outer wrapper. Inside, over the coals, there is a paper sheet which quickly ignites when you light it and in turn, lights all of the BBQ coals underneath. Then, just wait until the flames have subsided and the coals start to turn gray. This took around 20 minutes and the the BBQ was ready to use.

Because it is party sized, it is great for when there are a group of people as it takes much more food at one time than the smaller disposable BBQs that are on the market. Food cooks quite quickly and evenly and the BBQ stays hot for ages so you can take the cooked food off and then add more to start cooking.

Overall, this BBQ is simple to use, convenient and decent value for money. If you are planning to go camping (unfortunately, due to the miserable weather, this might have to wait until next year now!), on a picnic or just having an outdoor party, you are likely to be very satisfied with this product.

I am awarding these disposable BBQs 5 stars and will not hesitate to buy them again, well done Sainsbury's!

Advantages

Disadvantages

I must begin this review by confessing that I am really disappointed. I had no idea that this juicer came in different colours. Mr Siamese bought me mine for a birthday present and it is in plain black - now don't get me wrong, that is fine but now that I have seen the purple version, I want it! The juicer actually comes in steel, red, purple,black, and almond colours so there should be something to appeal to everyone.

Now don't get me wrong, if you are looking for something to pulp your fruit, this isn't the juicer for you but if you want something simple and easy to give you a glass of delicious orange or grapefruit juice without loads of hassle and washing up, then this is the one for you. Unfortunately, it isn't dishwasher safe but is so easy to clean in the sink that it doesn't really matter.

Overall, this product is really handy and cute to look at too (especially in purple!) it might seem a little bit pricey but it is solid and seems like it will last for ages so should be a decent enough investment. The juice is easy to pour due to the funnel and the remains are collected and ready to bin, what more could you ask for!

I also have a smoothie maker at home that will juice fruit but it is quite fiddly to use and once used, requires loads of washing up so it tends to sit in the cupboard and not get used. This one however is incredibly simple to use and as a result, I use it a lot.

The juicer retails for around £49 but there is currently a sale on the above website which saves you £10 so if you are interested, have a look now.

To use, simply half your oranges, grapefruit or lemons and then press into the top of the juicer. The juicer then starts spinning round and squeezing the juice from your fruit. The remains are collected underneath and you are left with an empty fruit shell. It really is as easy as that!

There are no sharp blades to clean and the machine easily slides apart allowing you to empty it and then wash. It

Advantages

Disadvantages

You can buy this cat bed for £9.99 from Argos and in my opinion, this is an absolute bargain. My cats absolutely love theirs and the size allows them both to snuggle up in it together so if you have 2 cats, there is no need to buy 2 beds, unless they don't like to share!

There are more expensive versions of this bed available on the market but this one has proven itself to be perfect and so when the time comes to replace it, I will not hesitate to buy another of the same.

The bed basically comprises of a plastic coated wire frame and a snuggly faux sheepskin type cover. It is designed to fit neatly over the top of your radiator (this bed is meant for the type of radiator that is pictured above so wouldn't be suitable for other kinds of heater) allowing the cats to lie in the hammock style centre, soaking up all the heat from the radiator.

If may be worth ensuring that your radiator isn't too hot before using this bed, ours is on at around half the strength and the times system means that it comes on 4 times a day. Except in summer when much to the cats disgust, we switch it off! Now that the weather has turned cooler though, the heating has been switched back on so they are once again to be frequently found curled up in there.

Another benefit of this cat bed is the fact that the cover is removable so you can easily pop it in the wash to keep it clean and fresh. This is handy because the cream colour does get a little grimy looking so it is good to know that you can keep it as clean and hygienic as possible.

Overall, this cat bed is cheap, easy to care for and an absolute hit with my cats. It is also a great way of keeping them off your bed because no matter how comfy that might be, my Siamese still prefer the option of being warm!

Advantages

Disadvantages

These wipes come in a resealable plastic packet which will cost you £1.99. They should be available from all Pets at Home stores.

As anyone who reads my reviews will know (and thank you very much, I really appreciate all reads, rates and comments), I share my home with 2 rather pampered Siamese cats. They are house cats which means of course, they have to use a litter tray.

When I bought these wipes, I must confess that I was feeling a little lazy. Let's face it, it doesn't really take very long to wash out a litter tray with an antibacterial wash but sometimes, when you are in a hurry, it can be really handy to just use a wipe and know that you have the same level or protection against germs and bacteria.

These wipes contain byotrol which helps tp clean and also neutralise smells, which as anyone who has a litter tray will know, is something that is a definite bonus. There is a light scent to the wipes which is quite natural and doesn't seem to offend my cats at all. It doesn't really last very long of course but still leaves the tray smelling fresh upon cleaning.

I did find that the wipes were a little small though and 1 sometimes wasn't enough. For this reason, even for occasional use, they didn't really last very long. I have just read a review on here (the one before mine, have a look!) where the reviewer explaines that they have bought a spray from Pets at Home containing the same ingredients as these wipes. Next time I am there, I will definetely look out for this as it seems a more cost effective way to buy.

Overall, these wipes are a great and handy idea but they are let down by the price and the fact that they don't last very long. If you purchase the spray instead though, you should get much better value for money so that is something to look out for.